This is an
exceedingly rare face and body mask combination coming from the
Hindu groups on the Indo-Nepal border. The face is a
quintessential example of the Southern Nepal Kali mask.
The thing that makes this offering so exceptional though is the
fact that it is a mask set that has a torso mask as well.
The body mask exhibits the classical iconography of the goddess
with bare breasts and necklace of severed heads.

Here, as would be
expected from the iconographic parameters for Kali... the mask
set has a dark complexion with a gape jawed,
leering grin, and hyper-extended tongue. Condition is generally
good with expected signs of age and wear, the body mask has a
couple of large cracks in the wood, but none the less the piece
is not particularly fragile.

In the Tarai region that sprawls across the edge of the North
Indian plains and Southern Nepal there occur rituals where
masked dancers reenact the Hindu mythological epics, Kali is one
of the most popular characters. Mask collectors and Kali
devotees will find this very appealing because it is of course
very uncommon to find a body and face set.

Kali is the form of the great Mother Goddess which is
simultaneously nurturing and wrathful, repugnant and enticing,
terrifying and protective. She wants the best for her devotees. She can propel the devout
to the extreme heights of bliss and enlightenment and along the
way she will mercilessly crush anything or anyone who gets in
the way - utterly annihilating obstacles to enlightenment.